CHANGEABLE weather has affected fishing success, and on the Angel Complex it’s been a mixed week of catches, from improved carp captures to good silver-fish sessions.

CHANGEABLE weather has affected fishing success, and on the Angel Complex it’s been a mixed week of catches, from improved carp captures to good silver-fish sessions.

When frosty, overnight anglers are struggling to catch more than a few good fish until later in day, with some larger carp showing then, but for all species fishing is becoming much better at dusk.

James Ladd has been continuing his piking success on the Tees this weekend. Using float fished smelt in a peg downstream of some snags, he was quickly into a fine fish that weighed 15lb 3oz.

Another smelt was offered and about 30 minutes later a pike shot forward and grabbed it.

After a great fight James eventually landed her at 16lb 1oz.

The final match of the Eden Meadows Winter League took place on Sunday and was won by Mark Britton with 23lb 9oz. Geoff Lincoln, runner-up on the day with 23lb, was the real winner, however, as his return guaranteed him the league title with 129 points.

Mark Britton was second in the league and John Ions finished third.

The River Tees at Yarm was hard going during Sunday’s match, Ian Lumb only needing a chub and some perch totalling 7lb to win. Phil Noble of Darlington was runner-up with 4lb 10oz and Paul Heeley third on 3lb 9oz.

Seaton Burn-based Big Waters AC recently fished the fifth round of their Winter League where Paul O’Donnell won with 17lb 7oz. Nick Jose was runner-up with 14lb 3oz and Paul Renny took third spot with 13lb.

Sunday’s Open on Lookout went to Ray Wallace with 14lb, while Peter Cairns on 8lb 6oz was second, and John Foster, with 7lb 13oz, third. On Saturday, Graham Skirrey won the Angel Open with 7lb 3oz, all caught in the last hour, with Richard Wildman second on 6lb 2oz.

Wansbeck and Cramlington AC have given their waters a boost. Milkhope received 400 bream and 400 tench in the 6-8in class.

Horton Grange received 200 bream and 200 tench and Brenkley benefited with the introduction of 100 bream and 100 tench. The club were pleased to receive fish bigger than expected due to a lack of smaller tench and bream, and a few fish well over 1lb in weight plus a few golden tench as an added bonus were included.

Local anglers are among many water users who will be delighted that consultation on proposals to improve Killingworth Lake are to take place tomorrow between 1pm and 3pm and also on Monday from 10.30am to 12.30pm at the White Swan Centre in Killingworth.

The improvements are focused on refurbishing the area surrounding the car park, addressing the problems caused by the high swan and geese population, and the provision of a snack/drinks kiosk.

Certainly, the huge over-abundance of swans whose droppings create an unhealthy water quality and subsequent blue-green algae blooms that resulted in angling being prohibited for much 2012 is an issue that must be addressed.

Details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/lake1502 – and there is also the opportunity to complete an online comments form and view related documents.

DIARY DATES

Tomorrow: An Open will go ahead on the Angel Complex and the meeting regarding Killingworth Lake takes place from 1pm to 3pm at The White Swan Centre, Killingworth.

Sunday: Yarm AA contest their Harry Wilson Memorial Match on their stretch of the Tees and a monthly match on Hemlington Lake, on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, open to all at £12 all in, goes ahead too. Tel 07851 413806 to book. Sunday also sees Opens scheduled for Woodlands, Carp Vale and The Oaks.

Monday: The second meeting regarding Killingworth Lake takes place from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The White Swan Centre, Killingworth.

Tuesday: A meeting of The Tyne Anglers’ Alliance will take place at the Empire CIU Club on Salters Road, Gosforth, to which all member clubs are asked to send a delegate.

Wednesday: A midweek Open on The Angel – drawing at 9am, fishing 10.30am-3.30pm, and there is also an Open on Woodlands.